Automatic focus control device

Claim 2

An automatic focus control device of a camera, comprising: (a) optical means for transmitting an image of an object; (b) light receiving means for receiving light passing through the optical means and for converting the light into an electrical signal; (c) defocus amount calculating means for repeatedly calculating the defocus amount for a predetermined focal plane of a photographic lens in the camera on the basis of the electrical signal generated by the light receiving means; (d) judging means for judging whether or not an object to be focused is moving in accordance with the repeatedly calculated defocus amounts, and (e) in-focus condition determining means for determining that the photographic lens is in an in-focus condition when the defocus amount calculated by the defocus amount calculating means is smaller than a predetermined first amount in the condition where the judging means judges that the object is not moving, and for determining that the photographic lens is in an in-focus condition when the defocus amount calculated by the defocus amount calculating means is smaller than a predetermined second amount in the condition where the judging means judges that the object is moving, said first amount being smaller than said second amount.

Claim 3

An automatic focus control device of a camera according to claim 1, further comprising indicating means for indicating an in-focus condition of the photographic lens when said in-focus condition determining means determines that the photographic lens is in an in-focus condition.

Claim 4

An automatic focus control device of a camera according to claim 2, further comprising lens shifting means for shifting the photographic lens when the defocus amount calculated by the defocus amount calculating means is larger than the first amount and smaller than the second amount, and inhibiting means for inhibiting the lens shift of said lens shifting means when the defocus amount calculated by the defocus amount calculated by the defocus amount calculating means is smaller than the first amount.

Claim 5

An automatic focus control device of a camera according to claim 2, further comprising means for permitting the photographing operation of said camera when said in-focus condition determining means determines that the photographic lens is in an in-focus condition.

Claim 6

A camera having a lens and an automatic focus control device, the focus control device comprising: (a) optical means for transmitting an image of an object; (b) light receiving means for receiving light passing through the optical means and for converting the light into an electrical signal; (c) defocus amount calculating means for calculating the defocus amount for a predetermined focal plane of a photographic lens in the camera on the basis of the electrical signal generated by the light receiving means; (d) lens shifting means for shifting the photographic lens in accordance with the defocus amount calculated by the defocus amount calculating means; (e) in-focus condition determining means for determining that the photographic lens is in an in-focus condition when the defocus amount calculated by the defocus amount calculating means is smaller than a predetermined amount, said in-focus condition determining means being operated repeatedly with the shifting of the photographic lens, and (f) indicating means for indicating an in-focus condition of the photographic lens when said in-focus condition determining means determines that the photographic lens is in an in-focus condition.

Claim 7

A camera having a lens and an automatic focus control device, the focus control device comprising: (a) optical means for transmitting an image of an object; (b) light receiving means for receiving light passing through the optical means and for converting the light into an electrical signal; (c) defocus amount calculating means for calculating the defocus amount for a predetermined focal plane of a photographic lens in the camera on the basis of the electrical signal generated by the light receiving means; (d) lens shifting means for shifting the photographic lens in accordance with the defocus amount calculated by the defocus amount calculating means; (e) in-focus condition determining means for determining that the photographic lens is in an in-focus condition when the defocus amount calculated by the defocus amount calculating means is smaller than a predetermined amount, said in-focus condition determining means being operated repeatedly with the shifting of the photographic lens, and (f) indicating means for indicating an in-focus condition of the photographic lens when said in-focus condition determining means determines that the photographic lens is in an in-focus condition.

Claim 8

An automatic focus control device of a camera, comprising: (a) optical means for transmitting an image of an object; (b) light receiving means for receiving light passing through the optical means and for converting the light into an electrical signal; (c) defocus amount calculating means for repeatedly calculating the defocus amount for a predetermined focal plane of a photographic lens in the camera on the basis of the electrical signal generated by the light receiving means; (d) first judging means for judging whether or not an object to be focused is moving in accordance with the repeatedly calculated defocus amounts; (e) second judging means for judging whether or not the object to be focused is altered when the first judging means judges that the object is moving; (f) lens shifting amount calculating means for repeatedly calculating the shifting amount of the photographic lens in accordance with the repeatedly calculated defocus amount; (g) lens shifting means for shifting the photographic lens, and (h) control means for controlling the lens shifting means in accordance with the result of the first and second judging means, so that the lens shifting means is operated in accordance with a newest shifting amount calculated by the lens shifting amount calculating means when the first judging means judges that the object is moving and when the second judging means judges that the object is not altered, and that the lens shifting means is operated in accordance with a preceding shifting amount calculated by the lens shifting amount calculating means, when the first judging means judges that the object is moving and when the second judging means judges that the object is altered.

Claim 9

An automatic focus control device of a camera, comprising: (a) optical means for transmitting an image of an object; (b) light receiving means for receiving light passing through the optical means and for converting the light into an electrical signal; (c) defocus amount calculating means for repeatedly calculating the defocus amount for a predetermined focal plane of a photographic lens in the camera on the basis of the electrical signal generated by the light receiving means; (d) first judging means for judging whether or not an object to be focused is moving in accordance with the repeatedly calculated defocus amounts; (e) second judging means for judging whether or not the object to be focused is altered when the first judging means judges that the object is moving; (f) lens shifting amount calculating means for repeatedly calculating the shifting amount of the photographic lens in accordance with the repeatedly calculated defocus amount; (g) lens shifting means for shifting the photographic lens, and (h) control means for controlling the lens shifting means in accordance with the result of the first and second judging means, so that the lens shifting means is operated in accordance with a newest shifting amount calculated by the lens shifting amount calculating means when the first judging means judges that the object is moving and when the second judging means judges that the object is not altered, and that the lens shifting means is operated in accordance with a preceding shifting amount calculated by the lens shifting amount calculating means, when the first judging means judges that the object is moving and when the second judging means judges that the object is altered.

Claim 10

An automatic focus control device of a camera according to claim 6, wherein said lens shifting amount calculating means includes means for calculating the shifting amount of the photographic lens in accordance with both the calculated defocus amount and a change of defocus amount caused by the movement of the object.

Claim 11

An automatic focus control device of a camera according to claim 7, wherein said lens shifting amount calculating means includes means for calculating the shifting amount of the photographic lens in accordance with only the newest shifting amount, when the first judging means judges that the object is not moving.

Claim 12

An automatic focus control device of a camera, comprising: (a) optical means for transmitting an image of an object; (b) light receiving means for receiving light passing through the optical means and for converting the light into an electrical signal; (c) defocus amount calculating means for repeatedly calculating the defocus amount for a predetermined focal plane of a photographic lens in the camera on the basis of the electrical signal generated by the light receiving means; (d) first judging means for judging whether or not an object to be focused is moving in accordance with the repeatedly calculated defocus amounts; (e) second judging means for judging, when the first judging means judges that the object is moving, whether or not a difference between a newest defocus amount calculated by the defocus amount calculating means and a preceding defocus amount calculated by the defocus amount calculating means is larger than a predetermined amount, to determine that the object is altered when the difference is larger than the predetermined amount; (f) lens shifting amount calculating means for repeatedly calculating the shifting amount of the photographic lens in accordance with the repeatedly calculated defocus amount; (g) lens shifting means for shifting the photographic lens, and (h) control means for controlling the lens shifting means in accordance with the result of the first and second judging means, so that the lens shifting means is operated in accordance with a newest shifting amount calculated by the lens shifting amount calculating means when the first judging means judges that the object is moving and when the second judging means judges that the object is not altered, and that the lens shifting means is operated in accordance with a preceding shifting amount calculated by the lens shifting amount calculating means when the first judging means judges that the object is moving and when the second judging means judges that the object is altered.

Claim 13

An automatic focus control device of a camera, comprising: (a) optical means for transmitting an image of an object; (b) light receiving means for receiving light passing through the optical means and for converting the light into an electrical signal; (c) defocus amount calculating means for repeatedly calculating the defocus amount for a predetermined focal plane of a photographic lens in the camera on the basis of the electrical signal generated by the light receiving means; (d) first judging means for judging whether or not an object to be focused is moving in accordance with the repeatedly calculated defocus amounts; (e) second judging means for judging, when the first judging means judges that the object is moving, whether or not a difference between a newest defocus amount calculated by the defocus amount calculating means and a preceding defocus amount calculated by the defocus amount calculating means is larger than a predetermined amount, to determine that the object is altered when the difference is larger than the predetermined amount; (f) lens shifting amount calculating means for repeatedly calculating the shifting amount of the photographic lens in accordance with the repeatedly calculated defocus amount; (g) lens shifting means for shifting the photographic lens, and (h) control means for controlling the lens shifting means in accordance with the result of the first and second judging means, so that the lens shifting means is operated in accordance with a newest shifting amount calculated by the lens shifting amount calculating means when the first judging means judges that the object is moving and when the second judging means judges that the object is not altered, and that the lens shifting means is operated in accordance with a preceding shifting amount calculated by the lens shifting amount calculating means when the first judging means judges that the object is moving and when the second judging means judges that the object is altered.

Claim 14

An automatic focus control device of a camera according to claim 9, wherein said lens shifting amount calculating means includes means for calculating the shifting amount of the photographic lens in accordance with both the calculated defocus amount and a change of defocus amount caused by the movement of the object.

Claim 15

An automatic focus control device of a camera according to claim 10, wherein said lens shifting amount calculating means includes means for calculating the shifting amount of the photographic lens in accordance with only the newest shifting amount, when the first judging means judges that the object is not moving.

Claim 16

An automatic focus control device of a camera, comprising: (a) optical means for transmitting an image of an object; (b) light receiving means for receiving light passing through the optical means and for converting the light into an electrical signal; (c) defocus amount calculating means for repeatedly calculating the defocus amount for a predetermined focal plane of a photographic lens in the camera on the basis of the electrical signal generated by the light receiving means; (d) first judging means for judging whether or not an object to be focused is moving in accordance with the repeatedly calculated defocus amounts; (e) second judging means for judging whether or not it is possible to calculate the proper defocus amount by the defocus amount calculating means; (f) lens shifting amount calculating means for repeatedly calculating the shifting amount of the photographic lens in accordance with the repeatedly calculated defocus amount; (g) lens shifting means for shifting the photographic lens, and (h) control means for controlling the lens shifting means in accordance with the result of the first and second judging means, so that the lens shifting means is operated in accordance with a preceding shifting amount calculated by the lens shifting amount calculating means when the first judging means judges that the object is moving and when the second judging means judges that it is impossible to calculate the proper defocus amount by the defocus amount calculating means, and that the lens shifting means is operated in accordance with a newest shifting amount calculated by the lens shifting amount calculating means, when the first judging means judges that the object is moving and when the second judging means judges that it is possible to calculate the proper defocus amount by the defocus amount calculating means.

Claim 17

An automatic focus control device of a camera, comprising: (a) optical means for transmitting an image of an object; (b) light receiving means for receiving light passing through the optical means and for converting the light into an electrical signal; (c) defocus amount calculating means for repeatedly calculating the defocus amount for a predetermined focal plane of a photographic lens in the camera on the basis of the electrical signal generated by the light receiving means; (d) first judging means for judging whether or not an object to be focused is moving in accordance with the repeatedly calculated defocus amounts; (e) second judging means for judging whether or not it is possible to calculate the proper defocus amount by the defocus amount calculating means; (f) lens shifting amount calculating means for repeatedly calculating the shifting amount of the photographic lens in accordance with the repeatedly calculated defocus amount; (g) lens shifting means for shifting the photographic lens, and (h) control means for controlling the lens shifting means in accordance with the result of the first and second judging means, so that the lens shifting means is operated in accordance with a preceding shifting amount calculated by the lens shifting amount calculating means when the first judging means judges that the object is moving and when the second judging means judges that it is impossible to calculate the proper defocus amount by the defocus amount calculating means, and that the lens shifting means is operated in accordance with a newest shifting amount calculated by the lens shifting amount calculating means, when the first judging means judges that the object is moving and when the second judging means judges that it is possible to calculate the proper defocus amount by the defocus amount calculating means.

Claim 18

An automatic focus control device of a camera according to claim 12, wherein said lens shifting amount calculating means includes means for calculating the shifting amount of the photographic lens in accordance with both the calculated defocus amount and a change of defocus amount caused by the movement of the object.

Claim 19

An automatic focus control device of a camera according to claim 13, wherein said lens shifting amount calculating means includes means for calculating the shifting amount of the photographic lens in accordance with only the newest shifting amount, when the first judging means judges that the object is not moving.

Claim 20

An automatic focus control device of a camera, comprising: (a) optical means for transmitting an image of an object; (b) light receiving means for receiving light passing through the optical means and for converting the light into an electrical signal; (c) defocus amount calculating means for repeatedly calculating the defocus amount for a predetermined focal plane of a photographic lens in the camera on the basis of the electrical signal generated by the light receiving means; (d) judging means for judging whether or not an object to be focused is moving in accordance with the repeatedly calculated defocus amounts; (e) lens shifting amount calculating means for repeatedly calculating the shifting amount of the photographic lens in accordance with the repeatedly calculated defocus amount on the basis of the following equation: A=B+K {(B-C)-D} wherein: A represents the shifting amount to be calculated; B represents a newest shifting amount calculated in accordance with a newest defocus amount calculated by the defocus amount calculating means; C represents a preceding shifting amount calculated in accordance with a preceding defocus amount calculated by the defocus amount calculating means; D represents an amount of the photographic lens shifted in one defocus amount calculating cycle; K represents a constant wherein K>O, and (f) lens shifting means for shifting the photographic lens in accordance with the calculated shifting amount A when the judging means judges that the object is moving, and for shifting the photographic lens in accordance with the newest calculated shifting amount B when the judging means judges that the object is not moving.

Claim 21

An automatic focus control device of a camera, comprising: (a) optical means for transmitting an image of an object; (b) light receiving means for receiving light passing through the optical means and for converting the light into an electrical signal; (c) defocus amount calculating means for repeatedly calculating the defocus amount for a predetermined focal plane of a photographic lens in the camera on the basis of the electrical signal generated by the light receiving means; (d) judging means for judging whether or not an object to be focused is moving in accordance with the repeatedly calculated defocus amounts; (e) lens shifting amount calculating means for repeatedly calculating the shifting amount of the photographic lens in accordance with the repeatedly calculated defocus amount on the basis of the following equation: A=B+K {(B-C)-D} wherein: A represents the shifting amount to be calculated; B represents a newest shifting amount calculated in accordance with a newest defocus amount calculated by the defocus amount calculating means; C represents a preceding shifting amount calculated in accordance with a preceding defocus amount calculated by the defocus amount calculating means; D represents an amount of the photographic lens shifted in one defocus amount calculating cycle; K represents a constant wherein K>O, and (f) lens shifting means for shifting the photographic lens in accordance with the calculated shifting amount A when the judging means judges that the object is moving, and for shifting the photographic lens in accordance with the newest calculated shifting amount B when the judging means judges that the object is not moving.

Claim 22

An automatic focus control device of a camera, comprising: (a) optical means for transmitting an image of an object; (b) light receiving means for receiving light passing through the optical means and for converting the light into an electrical signal; (c) defocus amount calculating means for repeatedly calculating the defocus amount for a predetermined focal plane of a photographic lens in the camera on the basis of the electrical signal generated by the light receiving means; (d) judging means for judging whether or not an object to be focused is moving in accordance with the repeatedly calculated defocus amounts; (e) moving speed detecting means for detecting a moving speed of an image of the object on the predetermined focal plane of the photographic lens; (f) first lens shifting amount calculating means for calculating a first lens amount in accordance with the detected moving speed and a time period necessary for compensating the defocus amount; (g) second lens shifting amount calculating means for calculating a second lens amount to be shifted presently, and (h) lens shifting means for shifting the photographic lens in accordance with at least the first lens amount when the judging means judges that the object is moving, and for shifting the photographic lens in accordance with the second lens amount when the judging means judging that the object is not moving.

Claim 23

An automatic focus control device of a camera, comprising: (a) optical means for transmitting an image of an object; (b) light receiving means for receiving light passing through the optical means and for converting the light into an electrical signal; (c) defocus amount calculating means for repeatedly calculating the defocus amount for a predetermined focal plane of a photographic lens in the camera on the basis of the electrical signal generated by the light receiving means; (d) judging means for judging whether or not an object to be focused is moving in accordance with the repeatedly calculated defocus amounts; (e) moving speed detecting means for detecting a moving speed of an image of the object on the predetermined focal plane of the photographic lens; (f) first lens shifting amount calculating means for calculating a first lens amount in accordance with the detected moving speed and a time period necessary for compensating the defocus amount; (g) second lens shifting amount calculating means for calculating a second lens amount to be shifted presently, and (h) lens shifting means for shifting the photographic lens in accordance with at least the first lens amount when the judging means judges that the object is moving, and for shifting the photographic lens in accordance with the second lens amount when the judging means judging that the object is not moving.

Claim 24

An automatic focus control device of a camera according to claim 16, wherein said lens shifting means includes means for shifting the photographic lens in accordance with both the first and second lens amounts when the judging means judges that the object is moving.